Play Diagrams
Basketball's Universal Language
Basketball play diagrams are the universal language of basketball coaches throughout the world. In fact, you can find basketball graffiti (play diagrams) on clipboards, white boards, napkins, gym floors, pieces of scratch paper, or just about anything coaches can write on. It is of the utmost importance that all players understand play diagrams, since coaches draw them on clipboards as a form of communication especially during a game.
A Typical Play Diagram
Base Cross Offense
To some, play diagrams may look like hieroglyphics or may be difficult to comprehend. However, by using a few basic symbols and color, HoopTactics makes it easy for even a novice to understand even the most complex play action. Once you learn the various symbols used in the diagrams you'll be able to instantly form mental images of the play action as if it were actually taking place on the court.
Offensive Players
Offensive players are represented by circles containing numbers corresponding to the basic five player positions.
1 = Point Guard
2 = Shooting or Off Guard
3 = Small Forward
4 = Power Forward
5 = Post or Center
Player with Ball
The symbol of a basketball indicates the player who starts out with ball possession.
Defensive Players
Defensive players are represented by "X's" with sub or superscript numbers corresponding to the basic five player positions.
X1 = Point Guard
X2 = Shooting or Off Guard
X3 = Small Forward
X4 = Power Forward
X5 = Post or Center
Player Dribbling
Zig Zag lines represent the path of the player that is dribbling the basketball. The arrow head indicates the direction of movement.
Player Passing
A dashed orange line is used to signify a pass. The arrow head shows its direction, while the number of hash marks indicate the sequential order when multiple passes are involved.
Player Shooting
A shot or field goal attempt at the basket is indicated by an orange dotted line with an arrow head.
Player Movement
Both offensively and defensively, player movement is indicated by solid lines. The arrow head indicates the direction of movement.
Player Screen
A short perpendicular line at the end of a player's movement line represents a screen or pick.
Play Action Emphasis
The color Red is used to emphasize and point out a specific action within a play diagram.
Once players learn the various symbols used in the diagrams they will be able to instantly form mental images of the play action as if it were actually taking place on the court.
Combining of Play Diagram Symbols
Pass and Cut
Ball handler O1 passes to wing, and cuts to basket for return pass. This Give and Go action is one of the oldest, yet prettiest plays in basketball.
Down Screen action.
Player O3 sets a down screen for O2. Down screens are the most used Off-Ball screens.
Mid Screen
Player O5 sets an On Ball screen on defender X1. Ball handler O1 drives off the screen with options of continuing to the basket or passing to O2 or to O5 rolling to the basket after setting the screen.
Defensive Switch.
Player O1 passes to wing and sets a diagonal screen for O3. Defenders X1 and X3 disrupt the screen by switching opponents.
Defensive Trap
Defenders X 1 and X 2 execute a double team on ballhandler O1.
CAUTION
Coaches, if you are going to draw play diagrams during timeouts, make sure that all players know how to understand them and that they are clearly drawn. Do NOT take it for granted that they have been taught how to interpret and understand play diagrams.
Interpreting Play Diagrams Exercise
Once players learn the various symbols used in the diagrams they will be able to instantly form mental images of the play action as if it were actually taking place on the court.
Can you interpret this "Single/Double" baseline out of bounds play?
How well did you do?
Player O2 inbounds the ball to O3 breaking out to wing off O1's screen.
Player O3 then passes to O1 popping out to top of the circle and sets a double screen with O5.
Inbounder O2 steps inbounds under the basket with the options of continuing off O4's base screen or popping out off O3's and O5's double screen for shot.
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